Accessibility Tech Showcased At CES 2025 Is Transforming Shared Experiences

CES 2025 clarified that accessibility is no longer a checkbox or niche consideration—it’s a cornerstone of innovation, connection, and commercial success. Accessibility-focused technologies are transforming industries by creating products that don’t just meet the needs of specific groups — they appeal to everyone.

Michael Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, and Sandy Lacey, Executive Director of the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins Solutions, showcased how accessibility-focused businesses are paving the way forward. From AI-driven visual assistance to immersive audio solutions, CES 2025 highlighted how companies embracing inclusivity are expanding markets, fostering user loyalty, and driving profitability.

From Niche to $37 Billion Market: Accessibility Goes Mainstream

Once limited to a niche market, accessibility technology has grown into a global powerhouse. In 2023, the DisabilityTech market was valued at $25 billion, and by 2029, it is expected to reach $37 billion, according to McKinsey Market Research. This surge reflects a growing recognition of the universal benefits of inclusive design.

Companies like Be My Eyes drive this transformation, a platform revolutionizing accessibility for the blind and low-vision community while offering businesses a path to better serve all their customers. Initially created as a volunteer-driven app connecting sighted individuals with blind or low-vision users, Be My Eyes has become a transformative force in accessibility tech. Today, it supports over 600,000 blind and low-vision users and leverages a network of more than 4 million volunteers, according to company data.

At CES 2025, Michael Buckley unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. This collaboration integrates the Be My AI assistant into the eyewear, enabling users to receive real-time visual interpretation. By empowering users to navigate their surroundings with independence, this innovation showcases how inclusive design enhances everyday life.

Buckley emphasized that Be My AI is not just about advancing technology; it represents a scalable business model that brings accessibility into mainstream markets. By embedding accessibility features into widely adopted products, companies unlock new revenue streams while creating meaningful social impact. This collaboration underscores how accessibility innovation can drive commercial success while improving lives.

Redefining Road Trips: Perkins and Honda Lead with Scenic Audio

For many, road trips are a quintessential experience, but for blind and low-vision travelers, much of the journey remains inaccessible. Perkin’s Howe Innovation Center, in partnership with Honda, is changing that with Scenic Audio. This groundbreaking app uses AI to provide real-time audio descriptions of landscapes, landmarks, and weather conditions.

“Scenic Audio supports our mission of creating a more accessible world for all by designing alongside and with the disability community. We are excited to collaborate on this project and applaud Honda for its leadership in creating inclusive auto experiences.” explained Sandy Lacey. Scenic Audio appeals to families, tech enthusiasts, and travelers by making road trips inclusive for all passengers. Its potential integration into Honda’s vehicle lineup demonstrates how accessibility can create scalable, marketable solutions for the automotive industry while enriching lives.

Auracast: Shared Audio Revolutionizes Public Spaces

Among the standout innovations at CES 2025, Auracast™ broadcast audio from Bluetooth SIG is poised to transform public spaces. By enabling users to stream high-quality audio directly to their hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones, Auracast ensures an inclusive, customizable listening experience in venues such as theaters, lecture halls, and museums.

I experienced Auracast firsthand in an Auracast-enabled event hall at CES. As someone who uses GN ReSound Nexia hearing aids, I heard clearly the moderator’s mumbling before they addressed the room — something that would have been impossible without this technology.

What sets Auracast apart is that it doesn’t replace existing accessibility solutions like live captioning or video displays — it complements them. Offering another choice empowers users to engage in a way that works best for their needs. Some attendees may prefer captions or visual aids, while others benefit more from a direct audio connection. This flexibility ensures everyone can share the same experience, tailored to their preferences.

For businesses, Auracast provides significant operational benefits. It simplifies audio delivery and enhances accessibility compliance, making it an attractive solution for venues aiming to improve customer satisfaction. By offering seamless access to audio for diverse audiences, Auracast is setting a new standard for how shared spaces can be both inclusive and innovative.

Essilor Luxottica’s Nuance Audio Glasses: Style Meets Accessibility

Not all accessibility innovations look like accessibility tools—and that’s exactly the point. EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio smart glasses combine discreet hearing support with sleek, stylish eyewear. Using advanced beamforming technology, these glasses amplify conversations while reducing background noise, making them ideal companions for social settings.

When I first heard about Nuance Audio, I was admittedly skeptical. As a child, I wore thick, black-framed glasses that also served as hearing aids, with clunky switches and tubing. They were bulky, awkward, and far from confidence-boosting. Nuance Audio, however, takes an entirely different approach. These aren’t just functional devices—they’re elegant eyeframes with small, discreet speakers designed to help individuals with normal to moderate hearing thrive in noisy environments.

What sets Nuance Audio apart is its ability to normalize hearing assistance. By blending seamlessly into the realm of lifestyle products, these glasses eliminate the stigma often associated with assistive devices. They feel less like a medical tool and more like an aspirational accessory. As one CES attendee noted, “The intersection of sight and sound in a single accessory redefines assistive tech — it becomes aspirational, not clinical.”

By merging the eyewear and hearing assistance markets, EssilorLuxottica is opening up potential revenue streams and redefining what accessibility products can be. Nuance Audio proves that assistive technology can be as stylish as it is functional, setting a new benchmark for the future of accessibility innovation.

Accessibility as a Growth Strategy

The theme of CES 2025 was clear: accessibility drives connection, innovation, and profitability. Leaders like Michael Buckley and Sandy Lacey are proving that inclusive products don’t just address specific needs — they create universal appeal. Findings from the Akoio Accessibility and the Human Experience Report reinforce this, highlighting the value of sound environments designed to foster connection.

Companies investing in accessibility are seeing the payoff in brand loyalty, expanded markets, and long-term growth. By embedding inclusivity into their strategies, these businesses are meeting the demands of an increasingly diverse global audience.

Accessibility as a Business Imperative

CES 2025 demonstrated that accessibility is not just a tool for independence — it’s a driver of innovation, profitability, and inclusion. Leaders like Michael Buckley and Sandy Lacey are paving the way for a future where accessibility is embedded into mainstream products, creating shared experiences that connect us all.

The accessibility movement is gaining momentum, driven by technologies like Be My AI’s visual assistance, Scenic Audio’s real-time descriptions, Auracast’s customizable audio streaming, and Nuance Audio’s stylish hearing support. These innovations don’t just meet the needs of specific groups — they open up new opportunities, markets, and revenue streams.

For businesses, investing in accessibility is no longer optional — it’s a strategic advantage. Companies bold enough to embrace inclusivity are unlocking new customer bases, fostering brand loyalty, and positioning themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving market.

The message from CES 2025 is clear: accessibility is shaping the future of innovation. Will your business be part of it?